A Catholic Response to Domestic Abuse and Violence - Catholics for ...

HOPE, HELP, AND HEALING A Catholic Response to Domestic Abuse and Violence

“

unjust & painful situations, In the face of

f a i t h brings us the

light

which scatters the darkness.

POPE FRANCIS

JULY 7 - JULY 8, 2016

Held at

The Catholic University of America

”

Collaborative Partners

Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities

Partner and Host National Catholic School of Social Service

Thank You to Our Inaugural Sponsor

Prayer for Peace in Our Family Lord Jesus, be with my family. Grant us Your peace and harmony, an end to conflict and division. Gift us with the compassion to better understand each other, the wisdom and love to assist each other, and the trust and patience to live peacefully together. Grant that, through the intercession of Your mother, Mary, and St. Joseph our family too may become a holy family, accepting each other, working together in unity, and selflessly dedicated to one another and to You. Amen.

Prayer for Healing At every moment of our existence you are present to us, God, in gentle compassion. Help us to be present to one another so that our presence may be a strength that heals the wounds of time, and gives hope that is for all persons, through Jesus our compassionate brother. Amen.

Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary Undoer of Knots Holy Mary, full of God’s presence during the day of your life, you accepted with full humility the Father’s will, and the devil was never capable of tying you up with his confusion. Once with your Son you interceded for our difficulties, and full of kindness and patience, you gave us example of how to untie the knots in our life. By remaining forever Our Mother, you put in order and make more clear the ties that link us to the Lord. Holy Mother, Mother of God and our Mother, to you who untie with a motherly heart the knots of our life, we pray to you to receive in your hands (the name of the person), and to free him/her of the knots and confusion with which our enemy attacks. Through your grace, your intercession and your example deliver us from all evil, Our Lady, and untie the knots that prevent us from being united with God, so that we, free from sin and error, may find Him in all things, may have our hearts placed in Him, and may serve Him always in our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Rita O glorious St. Rita, your pleadings before the divine crucifix have been known to grant favors that many would call the impossible. Lovely St. Rita, so humble, so pure, so devoted in your love for thy crucified Jesus, speak on my behalf for my petition which seems so impossible from my humbled position. (Here mention your request ). Be propitious, O glorious St. Rita, to my petition, showing thy power with God on behalf of thy supplicant. Be lavish to me, as thou has been in so many wonderful cases for the greater glory of God. I promise, dear St. Rita, if my petition is granted, to glorify thee, by making known thy favor, to bless and sing thy praises forever. Relying then upon thy merits and power before the Sacred Heart of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Psalm 62:5-6 5  Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 33:18, 20-22 18  But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. 20  We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22  May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

Dear Participants, This year, Pope Francis has invited us to experience the love, kindness and unbounded generosity of God through The Year of Mercy. During this symposium we will grapple with the reality of domestic abuse and violence in our families and communities. We could deny our responsibility, but like Mother Teresa, we are called to be faithful. We are called to bring hope, help, and healing to those in need. Let us start our work together with three questions: 1. The registration passcode was “canon1153”. Do you know what it is? 2. When I Call for Help suggested sharing the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s number: 800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 800-787-3224. This number may save someone’s life. Is it in your cell phone contact list? 3. To prepare for this Symposium, we were asked to review the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching. Which one touched your heart? Mine was touched by the line that the “dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.” Now, at this Symposium, please join me to learn and share how to help people live in safety, peace, and justice within their families and dating relationships. With deep gratitude for your presence,

Sharon A. O’Brien

Symposium Committee Chair Symposium Collaborative Partners USCCB: Thomas Grenchik, Andrew Lichtenwalner, Mary McClusky, Bethany Meola, and Mark Rohlena Catholic Charities USA: Jean Beil, Scott Hurd, and Marlesia Neloms Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington: Msgr. John Enzler, Joan Fowler Brown, and Laura Yeomans Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington: Art Bennett, Catherine Hassinger, and Frank Moncher National Catholic School of Social Service (NCSSS) at CUA: William Rainford Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative in NCSSS at CUA: Sophia Carrodeguas, Lindsey Frechou, James Marafino, and Lauri Przybysz

We are deeply grateful to our Symposium Exhibitors. Please visit their tables for valuable resources and information. To request accommodations for individuals with disabilities, call 202-319-5211. The Catholic University of America admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age or disability.

National Symposium Hope, Help, And Healing: A Catholic Response to Domestic Abuse and Violence

Vision: To create or enhance a diocesan/archdiocesan, and parish-based response to domestic abuse and violence in collaboration with Catholic Charities and other church and community resources. SYMPOSIUM GOALS 1. Explore the scope of domestic abuse and violence in the United States. 2. Educate on the Catholic teachings that address domestic abuse and violence. 3. Encourage Catholic community leaders to continue the conversation on ways to address domestic abuse and violence. 4. Empower participants to identify prevention and response strategies to domestic abuse and violence that they can use in their local area. SYMPOSIUM OBJECTIVES Participants will: 1. Consider a comprehensive definition of domestic abuse and violence. 2. Acknowledge that we as Church sometimes fail to respond adequately to the suffering of our sisters and brothers harmed by domestic abuse and violence. 3. Integrate Catholic teachings into the process of recognizing, responding, and referring to professional helpers those harmed by domestic abuse and violence. 4. Learn about Catholic and other programs and practices that aim to prevent domestic abuse and violence and/or foster hope, help, and healing to those harmed by it. 5. Learn how trauma affects those harmed by domestic abuse and violence. 6. Develop a local action plan that offers hope, help, and healing to those harmed by domestic abuse and violence. 7. Discuss how to promote communication among Catholic community leaders from across the nation to address the issues of domestic abuse and violence.

“I feel tremendous gratitude to all those who are committed to working in and for the Church. … They help so many people to be healed or to die in peace in makeshift hospitals. They are present to those enslaved by different addictions in the poorest places on earth. They devote themselves to the education of children and young people. They take care of the elderly who have been forgotten by everyone else. They look for ways to communicate values in hostile environments. They are dedicated in many other ways to showing an immense love for humanity inspired by the God who became man.”

Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, 76

Symposium Schedule Thursday, July 7, 2016 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast, Visit Silent Witness display, a gift of Kaiser Permanente, Visit Resource Connections, Network, Complete Research Questionnaire (optional)

Session I

Moderator: Sharon A. O’Brien, Ph.D., Director, Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative (Family Peace Initiative), National Catholic School of Social Service (NCSSS), Consortium for Catholic Social Teaching, The Catholic University of America (CUA)

8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.| Welcome, Opening Prayer, and Introductions Opening Prayer: Sr. Ruth Harkins, IHM, Associate Campus Minister for Graduate and Professional Students, Office of Campus Ministry, CUA Welcome by Collaborative Partners: Dean William Rainford, Ph.D., National Catholic School of Social Service Andrew Lichtenwalner, Ph.D., Executive Director, USCCB Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth Thomas Grenchik, Executive Director, USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities Stephen Colecchi, Ph.D., Director, Office of International Justice and Peace, Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, USCCB Jean Beil, Sr. Vice President for Programs and Services, Catholic Charities USA Rev. Msgr. John Enzler, President & CEO, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington Art Bennett, President & CEO, Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington Welcome by Inaugural Program Sponsor: Sheila Hopkins, President, National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW)

Session II

Moderator: Art Bennett, President & CEO, Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington

9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. | The Reality of Domestic Abuse and Violence in the United States • • •

Facilitator: Cathy Hassinger, Director of Community Services, Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington Women Healing the Wounds Through Awareness | Kathy Bonner, Leadership Team, NCCW Definitions and Prevalence | Christauria Welland, Psy.D., Founder, Pax in Familia Danger Assessment | Carmen Alvarez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, The Johns Hopkins University

11 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | Break, Visit Silent Witness display, and Walk to Chapel 11:20 a.m. | Mass in St. Vincent de Paul Chapel located on McCormack Road, Blessing of Meal at Conclusion of Mass All, including our interfaith colleagues, are invited to join us or to visit the beautiful Catholic University of America campus, especially Mary’s Meditative Garden, which is located on the grounds of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Session III 12:15 p.m. (After Mass) - 1:15 p.m. |  Lunch with Option of Joining a Facilitated Roundtable Discussion 1. How to Address Domestic Abuse and Violence in Seminary and Pastoral Leadership Training | Father Charles Dahm and Lauri Przybysz, D.Min. 2. How to Use When I Call for Help to Create a Local Action Plan | Laura Yeomans and Bethany Meola 3. How to Walk with People Seeking to Forgive | Scott Hurd 4. How to Motivate the Person Who Uses Abuse and Violence to Seek Healing | Christauria Welland, Psy.D., and Maxine Davis 5. Impact of Violence on the Validity of Marriage | Rev. Thomas Ferguson and Frank J. Moncher, Ph.D. 6. How to Create an On-call Catholic Therapist Group and a Safe Place for People Experiencing Elder Abuse | Nancy Aiken, Ph.D., and KerryAnn Aleibar

7. How 12-Step Recovery Groups Provide Hope, Help, and Healing | Christa Lopiccolo 8. How to Teach People Who are Hurting to Recognize Their Dignity as Children of God | Rose Folsom 9. How to Teach Interpersonal Peacemaking Practices in Small Groups | MJ Park 10. How to Address Domestic Abuse Amidst Multicultural Beliefs and Practices | Veronica Cruz 11. How to Promote Healthy Teen Dating | Kathy Bonner and Elissa Malter Schwartz 12. How to Help Families With Mental and Physical Disabilities Address Issues Related to Domestic Abuse | Jennifer Charles, Ph.D., Janice Benton, and Kate Fialkowski 13. Devotion to the Divine Mercy: Source of Wisdom and Strength in Difficult Situations | Rev. Mark Baron, MIC 14. How to Collaborate With Your Faith Community Nurse to Address Domestic Abuse and Violence | Daria Berman 15. Help for People Experiencing Domestic Abuse and Unexpected Pregnancy or Loss of Their Child | Mary McClusky and Kathleen Carter

Session IV

Moderator: Lauri Przybysz, D.Min., Advisor and Faculty Associate, Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative’s Advisory Board

1:15 p.m. - 3 p.m. | What We Need to Know Before we Offer Hope, Help, and Healing • • •

Effects of Trauma on People Who Experience Abuse and Violence | Christauria Welland, Psy.D. Effects of Trauma on Children Who Witness Intimate Partner Violence | Mindy Thiel, Ph.D. Effects of Trauma on People Who Use Abuse and Violence | Christauria Welland, Psy.D.

3 p.m. | Daily Prayer for those harmed by domestic abuse and violence, for those who seek to provide assistance, and for all those who work to promote family peace and prevent domestic abuse. Led by Theresa O’Sullivan, Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative’s Advisory Board

3:02 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Break and Visit Silent Witness display

Session V Moderator: Rev. Msgr. John Enzler, President and CEO, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington

3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Church Teaching on Marriage and Domestic Abuse and Violence and the Implications for the Annulment Process •

•

Church Teaching on Marriage and Domestic Abuse and Violence | John Grabowski, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Director of Moral Theology/Ethics, School of Theology & Religious Studies, The Catholic University of America Tribunal Annulment Cases: Clinical Considerations Where Domestic Violence Has Occurred | Rev. Thomas Ferguson, Ph.D., Vicar General, Diocese of Arlington and Frank J. Moncher, Ph.D., Psychologist and Tribunal Psychological Assessor, Diocese of Arlington

5 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Remarks, Blessing, and Reception

Moderator: Sharon A. O’Brien, Ph.D., Director, Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Special Private Tour of the Saint John Paul II Shrine

3900 Harewood Road N.E., Washington, DC 20017. You can still sign-up at our registration desk. Meet us there or meet at 6:30 p.m. in front of Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center to walk over together.

Friday, July 8, 2016 For your personal information, daily Mass times that fit with the Symposium hours are 7 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Mass is celebrated in the Lower Crypt Church in the Basilica. Door of Mercy at front of Basilica is open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

7 a.m. - 8 a.m. | Breakfast, Visit Resource Connections, Network

Session VI

Moderator: Jean Beil, Senior Vice President, Catholic Charities USA

8 a.m. | Welcome and Morning Prayer

Opening Prayer: Sr. Ruth Harkins, IHM, Associate Campus Minister for Graduate and Professional Students, Office of Campus Ministry, CUA

8:05 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. | Keynote: Intersection of Pornography and Domestic Violence

Lisa L. Thompson, Vice President and Director of Education and Outreach, National Center on Sexual Exploitation

8:45a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | The Role of the First Responder: Listening with Compassion and Referring to a Professional Helper

Eileen Dombo, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Assistant Dean, and Chair, Masters of Social Work (MSW) Program, National Catholic School of Social Service, The Catholic University of America

9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. | Domestic Abuse and Violence Prevention and Response Resources • • • • • • •

Facilitator: Marlesia Neloms, Director, Children, Youth, and Families, Catholic Charities USA Jenny Lor, National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) Arlene Vassell, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) Bethany Meola, USCCB - Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth Mary McClusky, USCCB - Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities Marlesia Neloms, Catholic Charities USA Sheila Hopkins, National Council of Catholic Women Lauri Przybysz, D.Min., Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative and National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers (NACFLM)

10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Blessing of Meal, Break, Visit Silent Witness display, and Walk to Workshops

Session VII 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. | Workshops

1. Domestic Abuse and Violence in Pope Francis’s Amoris Laetitia and Implications for Addressing Domestic Violence in Sacrament Preparation and Catechetical Programs | Lauri Przybysz, D.Min., Director of Education, Catholics For Family Peace, President-Elect, National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers and Bethany Meola, Assistant Director, USCCB, Secretariat for Laity, Family Life, Marriage and Youth 2. How to Motivate the Person Who Uses Abuse and Violence to Seek Healing | Christauria Welland, Psy.D., Founder, Pax in Familia, and Maxine Davis, Faculty Associate, Catholics for Family Peace 3. How to Recognize and Respond to Survivors of Domestic Abuse Experiencing Unexpected Pregnancy or Loss of their Child due to Miscarriage or Abortion | Mary McClusky, Assistant Director of Project Rachel Ministry Development, USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities; Catherine T. Coyle, R.N., M.S.N., Ph.D., Co-Director of the Alliance for Post Abortion Research & Training; and Kathleen Carter, Parenting Program Coordinator, Shady Grove Pregnancy Center 4. What You Need to Know about Immigration Laws and Domestic Violence Issues | Jeanne Atkinson, J.D., Executive Director, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), Cecelia Friedman Levin, Senior Policy Counsel, ASISTA Immigration Assistance 5. How to Address Domestic Abuse Amidst Multicultural Beliefs and Practices | Manuel Ruiz, M.A., Therapist, Synergy Family Services 6. National Council of Catholic Women’s Women Healing The Wounds: A Comprehensive User-Friendly Resource | Kathy Bonner, Leadership Development Team, National Council of Catholic Women 7. How to Walk With People Seeking to Forgive | Scott Hurd, Senior Director for Leadership Development, Catholic Charities USA 8. How to Propose, Implement, and Monitor a Domestic Abuse and Violence Response Policy in Your Diocese or Catholic Agency | Dennis Butler, Chief, Human Resources, Diocese of Paterson and Co-Founder, Catholics For Family Peace 9. How to Teach Small Groups to Develop Interpersonal Peacemaking Practices | MJ Park, Founder, Little Friends For Peace 10. How to Teach People Who are Hurting to Recognize Their Dignity as Children of God | Rose Folsom, Founder, Virtue Connection 11. How to Work With Your Local and National Community and Governmental Resources | Cathy Hassinger, Director of Community Services, Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington; Arlene Vassell, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence; and Rob Valente, J.D., Chief Officer of Government Affairs for the National Domestic Violence Hotline

11:45 a.m. - noon | Break, Resource Connections, Visit Silent Witness display, Network, Gather for Lunch

Session VIII noon - 1p.m. | Lunch with Option of Joining a Facilitated Roundtable Discussion

1. Impact of Violence on the Validity of Marriage | Rev. Thomas Ferguson and Frank J. Moncher, Ph.D. 2. Help for People Experiencing Domestic Abuse and Unexpected Pregnancy or Loss of Their Child | Mary McClusky, Kathleen Carter, and Catherine Coyle, RN, MSN, Ph.D. 3. Immigration Laws and Domestic Violence Issues | Jeanne Atkinson, J.D. 4. Diocesan/Catholic Agency Domestic Abuse and Violence Response Policy | Dennis Butler 5. Resources from National Council of Catholic Women | Sheila Hopkins and Kathy Bonner 6. How to Teach People Who are Hurting to Recognize Their Dignity as Children of God | Rose Folsom 7. How to Collaborate with your Faith Community Nurse to Address Domestic Abuse and Violence | Daria Berman 8. How to Identify and Implement Catholic Programs that Strengthen Marriages, Families, and Youth| Lauri Przybysz, D.Min. 9. Help Develop a National Research Agenda on the Catholic Experience and Response to Domestic Abuse and Violence | Sharon O’Brien, Ph.D. and Bushra Sabri, Ph.D. 10. How to Connect with Government and Community Resources | Cathy Hassinger, Arlene Vassell, and Rob Valente, J.D. 11. Divine Mercy Prayer: Source of Wisdom in Difficult Situations | Rev. Mark Baron, MIC 12. How to Address Domestic Abuse Amidst Multicultural Beliefs and Practices | Manuel Ruiz

Session IX

Moderator: Andrew Lichtenwalner, Ph.D., Executive Director, USCCB Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth

1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. | Archdiocese of Chicago Model: Creating a Parish Based Response to Domestic Abuse Throughout the Diocese Rev. Charles W. Dahm, O.P., Ph.D., Director of Domestic Violence Outreach, Archdiocese of Chicago and Pam Davis, Department Director of Counseling Services, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago

1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. | Archdiocese of Washington: Implementing a Parish Response to Domestic Violence

Laura Yeomans, Parish Partners Program Manager, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington: Experience of Creating a Parish Response to Domestic Violence

2:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. | Next Step: How to Continue a National Catholic Response • •

Facilitator: Sharon A. O’Brien, Director, Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative Experience of a National Catholic Coalition | Christopher S. Ljungquist Group Work: Determine How to Stay Connected as a National Catholic Community | Dennis Butler, MBA

Session X

Moderator: Dean William Rainford, Ph.D., National Catholic School of Social Service, The Catholic University of America

2:45 p.m. | Daily Prayer for those harmed by domestic abuse and violence, for those who seek to provide assistance, and for all those who work to promote family peace and prevent domestic abuse. Led by Father Mark Baron, MIC, Prefect of Formation, Marian Scholasticate

2:50 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. | Closing Keynote: Hope, Help, and Healing is Possible Beverly Hubble Tauke, LCSW, Author of Healing Your Family Tree

3:40 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Give Away Gift Baskets: Resources to Respond to Domestic Abuse and Violence, Symposium Planning Committee Members

Final Blessing: Sr. Ruth Harkins, IHM, Associate Campus Minister for Graduate and Professional Students, Office of Campus Ministry, CUA

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Chocaholic Reception, Exchange Evaluation Forms for CEU Certificates, and Enjoy Networking THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK — SAFE TRAVELS — GOD BLESS

Speakers and Presenters Nancy Aiken, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of CHANA which is a program of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore. It provides a community response to domestic violence, sexual trauma and elder abuse. Aiken is a licensed psychologist who has worked in the field of abuse and trauma for 25 years. Her dissertation is on the attribution of blame in court adjudicated domestic violence cases and she has presented on topics in the area of abuse, trauma, and substance abuse for local, national, and international audiences. KerryAnn Aleibar, L.C.S.W.-C, is the Case Manager at the ElderSAFE Center at Charles E. Smith Life Communities, the first shelter of its kind for abused older adults in the Washington, D.C. metro region. KerryAnn has over 12 years of experience working with older adults in long-term care, senior housing, and adult day care settings. She has specialized knowledge and expertise in aging, supportive counseling, elder case management services, discharge planning, subacute care and physical rehabilitation. KerryAnn frequently educates community programs and agencies on elder abuse and the ElderSAFE Center. KerryAnn graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Social Work and from the University of Maryland, Baltimore with a Masters in Social Work specializing in aging. Carmen Alvarez, Ph.D., C.R.N.P., C.N.M. is an Assistant Professor in The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Her work focuses on decision support, patient activation, and risk reduction for improving safety and self-management behaviors among underserved women — particularly those who are living with a chronic disease and survivors of trauma. Her research activities explore the role of health services and providers in facilitating decision support and patient activation for trauma survivors. Alvarez teaches graduate and undergraduate nursing, women’s health, public health nursing, health promotion, and disease prevention. Alvarez has served in forums to inform nursing practice as well as health services for child survivors of trauma — she was an IOM committee member for Assessing Progress on the IOM Report The Future of Nursing and was part of a World Health Organization expert group to propose recommendations for non-specialist health service providers in low- and middle income countries to respond to child maltreatment. Jeanne M. Atkinson, J.D., a longtime immigration attorney, is the Executive Director of CLINIC, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network. Since joining CLINIC, Ms. Atkinson participated in a delegation to southern Mexico and Central America to examine the “push factors” that lead people from the region to migrate north. She also oversaw the development of the CARA Family Detention Pro Bono Representation Project to provide volunteer legal representation and advocacy on behalf of mothers and children held in Dilley and Karnes City, Texas. Ms. Atkinson founded and co-chairs the Committee for Immigration Reform Implementation and speaks nationally on topics including family detention and implementation of immigration reform. Prior to joining CLINIC, Ms. Atkinson served as the Director of Catholic Charities’ Immigration Legal Services program and the Refugee Center for the Archdiocese of Washington. She is a co-founder of Catholics For Family Peace and current advisor to the Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative. Reverend Mark Baron, MIC, is a priest with the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Since he was ordained in 2004, Father Mark has been involved in formation work serving as Novice Master and currently as the Prefect of Seminarians. He has spent time preaching parish missions and giving retreats on the Divine Mercy message and Devotion. Father Mark is also a frequent contributor to Relevant Radio’s ‘Inner Life’ program, a show that deals with questions concerning spiritual direction. Janice Benton is Executive Director of National Catholic Partnership on Disability where she guides initiatives which promote participation of persons with disabilities in the Catholic Church. She speaks throughout the U.S, and as a guest on Catholic radio. She consults with the U.S. Catholic bishops and other organizational partners on life and disability issues. She has spoken at two international conferences on autism (Vatican, 2014 and Monterrey, Mexico, 2015), and presented two posters at the Vatican 2016 Living Fully international symposium and conference. In 2012, Janice received national awards from the Roundtable Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors and the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order, USA. She is a professed Secular Franciscan, wife, and mother of two adult children. Daria Berman, R.N., is a Faith Community Nurse Coordinator at Holy Cross Health- Faith Community Nurse Program. She also works as a faith community nurse volunteer at St. Peter’s Parish in Olney, Md. Daria received a B.S. in Nursing, an M.S. in Nursing Informatics and a Post Master’s Teaching Certificate from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She completed her faith community nurse certificate in 2008. Kathy Bonner is the author of the “Women Healing The Wounds” educational brochure and co-author of the NCCW “Women Healing The Wounds” resource, both addressing domestic abuse. Ms. Bonner addresses audiences nationwide. Her current presentations focus on awareness, practical information, interaction, and visuals. Her involvement began in the late 1990s when she served as the National Council of Catholic Women vice president. She has served on the Governor’s Task Force for Domestic Violence and previously worked in the Family Life Office, Diocese of Orlando. Ms. Bonner is also one of the authors and presenter of NCCW Leadership, Training, and Development (LTD). She authored the book Mondays With Kathy: Inspirational Thoughts to Motivate Your Week. Ms. Bonner, a recent widow, lives in Orlando. She has three adult children, three grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Dennis Butler, M.B.A., is the Chief Human Resources & Compliance Officer for the Diocese of Paterson. He also leads its Office of Child and Youth Protection. Dennis implemented a program on domestic violence in the workplace and is a national resource on these issues. He was a co-founder and vice president of Catholics for Family Peace and is now on their board of advisors. Dennis previously worked for Liz Claiborne, Inc. as VP, Workplace Solutions, was instrumental in establishing Liz Claiborne’s policy and protocols for domestic violence in the workplace, and was a member of their Domestic Violence Response Team. Dennis has been a frequent speaker about domestic violence as a workplace issue at conferences and symposiums around the world. He has worked with governments, the UN and NGOs in Canada, Israel, Jordan, Turkey and Great Britain to establish domestic abuse awareness programs in their countries. Kathleen Carter is the Parenting Program Director at the Shady Grove Pregnancy Center in Gaithersburg, Md. She began working at the center as a volunteer. Recognizing her clients need for ongoing parenting support, she developed a program that did just that. She has been on staff and running the parenting program since 2001. Kathleen returned to school and earned her Bachelors of Social Work degree from UMBC where she is currently pursuing her Master’s of Social Work degree. She will continue to work with families as a clinical pediatric social worker. In 2015, Kathleen joined forces with the Director of Catholics for Family Peace, Sharon O’Brien and directors from local pregnancies to develop a response protocol for pregnancy centers to use when addressing the needs of clients who experience domestic abuse. Jennifer L.K. Charles, M.S.W, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the National Catholic School of Social Service at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Charles’ clinical social work background is in community mental health, including crisis stabilization and mobile crisis response. Guided by her practice and educational experiences, Charles’ research concentrates on the identification of and issues related to the stigma of mental illness. Particularly of interest are the negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of mental health service providers toward their clients, as well as the influence of stigma on the mental health help-seeking behaviors of college-aged adults. Charles earned her Ph.D. in 2015 from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., her M.S.W from Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., and her B.A. from Virginia Tech. Catherine Coyle, R.N., M.S.N., Ph.D., Co-Director of the Alliance for Post Abortion Research & Training, earned a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (area of Human Development) at the University of Wisconsin. She is a registered nurse and holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychiatric Nursing. She has taught at Edgewood College and the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Coyle has developed a healing program for men who have been hurt by abortion and has scientifically documented its effectiveness. She is the author of the book, Men and Abortion: A Path to Healing, which is based on her research and is available from Life Cycle Books (1-800-214-5849). Coyle is an associate of the International Forgiveness Institute and continues to pursue research in the areas of both forgiveness and post abortion trauma. She has published several papers and given numerous presentations concerning the effects of abortion on men, the psychological process of forgiveness, and forgiveness therapy. Veronica E. Cruz has been in the social work profession for over seventeen years with concentrations in the areas of forensic and hospital social work. Ms. Cruz was employed for ten years at the Office of the Public Defender as a forensic social worker. In 2015 she became the owner and CEO of Cruz and Associates a consulting firm specialized in forensic social work, sentencing mitigation for juvenile and adult offenders, professional continuing education, and psychotherapy. Since 2015, Ms. Cruz has been a part-time professor at Catholic University. She is a graduate of the Catholic University of America with a B.A. in psychology, and received her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Maryland. In January 2014, she completed an Advanced Forensic Social Work Certification through the University of Maryland Continuing Education Department. Ms. Cruz specializes in criminal defense mitigation, dual diagnosis, crisis intervention, addiction, trauma and working with diverse ethnic groups. Maxine Davis is a doctoral candidate at Washington University-St. Louis in the George Warren Brown School of Social Work and a Faculty Associate with Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative in the National Catholic School of Social Service at The Catholic University of America. Her research centers on intimate partner violence and abuse, with particular attention on intervention for those who have chosen to act abusively. Davis is guided by former work in Partner Abuse Intervention Programs (PAIPs) and also studies the perpetration of religious abuse within intimate relationships. Holding Master’s degrees in Social Work and Business Administration she hopes to contribute to scholarly work that improves PAIPs service delivery and outcomes, especially for Black men. Using a communityengaged approach, her dissertation work qualitatively and quantitatively examines an innovative faith-based PAIP designed for Hispanic men. Reverend Charles W. Dahm, O.P., Ph.D., a Dominican priest, is the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Director of domestic violence outreach; cocoordinator of Peace and Justice for Dominicans in North America: and associate pastor of St. Pius V Parish, a large Hispanic parish where he developed the largest parish-based domestic violence program in the U.S. He co-founded and is president of The Resurrection Project, a $6 million economic development corporation; the Chicago Workers Collaborative, an advocacy organization for day laborers; Illinois Citizens for Better Care, a nursing reform organization; Parenting for Non Violence, which teaches parenting skills in Chicago’s violenceridden areas; 8th Day Center for Justice, a Catholic peace and justice center; and the Chicago Religious Task Force on Central America.

He has preached on domestic violence in 85 parishes in Chicago and developed domestic violence ministry teams in 65 of them. He holds M.A.s in theology and philosophy and a Ph.D. in political science. He authored Power and Authority in the Catholic Church: Cardinal Cody in Chicago, and Parish Ministry in a Hispanic Community. Pam Davis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Masters in Social Work from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois – Chicago. She has been employed at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago for 24 years in various roles including five years counseling women at the House of Good Shephard domestic violence shelter in Chicago. She is currently the Department Director of Counseling Services in Family and Parish Support services which houses the agency’s domestic violence and case management services. As a representative of Catholic Charities, she has been a member of the Archdiocese of Chicago domestic violence outreach steering tommittee since its inception in 2011. Eileen Dombo, Ph.D., M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W., is an Associate Professor, Assistant Dean, and Chair of the MSW program at the National Catholic School of Social Service at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.. She teaches practice classes in the Clinical Concentration of the MSW program, and her research interests include testing clinical models of practice; exploring effective therapeutic intervention techniques for social workers in trauma treatment; and exploring the links between trauma work and vicarious trauma. Dombo is the former Clinical Director of the DC Rape Crisis Center and she continues to provide trauma treatment through her private practice and consulting work. Linking service with her faith, Dombo is the chairperson of the Child Protection Board for the Archdiocese of Washington, and the victim advocate for the Archdiocese of the Military Services. Based on her work and reputation among her peers, she was named a “Top Therapist” by Washingtonian Magazine. Reverend Thomas P. Ferguson, Ph.D., J.C.L., is Vicar General of the Diocese of Arlington and Pastor of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA. He was ordained a priest in 1994, and he received a licentiate in canon law from the University of Saint Paul in Ottawa in 1998. In addition to his parish and diocesan assignments, he has served in the Tribunal of the Diocese of Arlington as a Defender of the Bond (1998-2004) and as a Judge (2004-present). Kate Fialkowski is a Disability Policy and Ethics Expert and lifelong advocate with specialization in cognitive disabilities (intellectual disability, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s/dementia). Kate was a former Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Public Policy Fellow at US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, former Executive Director at The Arc Maryland, with an M.T.S. in Biotechnology and Ethics from the JPII Institute at Catholic University. Rose Folsom is a lay Third Order Dominican who lives in Silver Spring, Md. She founded Virtue Connection to help Catholic women unite with Christ so they can enjoy harmonious relationships with God, themselves, and other people. Those who have experienced abuse are in special need of a renewed connection with Christ. This is attainable by discovering how to practice virtues such as faith, hope, justice, and love. Rose realized the power of the virtues to bring clarity and healing while studying the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas after her conversion in 1990. She gathers words of wisdom on growing in virtue from the saints, scripture, and spiritual masters (and roadtests their ideas) to share with audiences far and wide at talks and webinars. She blogs at virtueconnection.com. John S. Grabowski, Ph.D., has served on the faculty of the Catholic University of America for the last 25 years. He is currently Associate Professor of Moral Theology and the Director of the Moral Theology/ Ethics Area. He and his wife Claire were appointed to the Pontifical Council for the Family by Pope Benedict XVI in the fall of 2009 where they serve as a member couple. He is also currently serving as a theological advisor to the U.S.C.C.B. Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family, and Youth. In 2015 he was appointed by Pope Francis to serve as an expert (adiutor) at the Synod of Bishops on the Family. Dr. Grabowski has published widely in the areas of moral theology, marriage, sexuality, and bioethics. His book Sex and Virtue: An Introduction to Sexual Ethics was published by the Catholic University of America Press in 2003. Catherine Hassinger, M.Ed., M.S., is Director of Community Services for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. She oversees several programs across 21 counties in Northern Virginia, including the St. Lucy Project, Migration and Refugee Services, Hogar Immigrant Services, Christ House Transitional Housing, St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional Housing, and Emergency Assistance. Prior to coming to Catholic Charities, Ms. Hassinger was the Executive Director of Bethany House of Northern Virginia, Inc., a domestic violence shelter serving the D.C. metropolitan area. She holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University in Maryland, where she completed internships working with court-involved female juveniles and victims of domestic violence. She also has a Master’s degree in Education from Marymount University with an emphasis on teaching English as a Second Language. Her undergraduate degree is from the College of William and Mary. Scott Hurd is Senior Director Leadership Development, at Catholic Charities USA, and has over twenty years’ experience in professional ministry. He is the author of four books, including Forgiveness: A Catholic Approach (Pauline Books and Media), which in 2012 received an “Excellence in Publishing” award from the Association of Catholic Publishers, has been published in German as Das Geschenk der

Vergebung by Verlag Neue Stadt, is recommended as a Catholic resource by the International Forgiveness Institute, and is a Year of Mercy book selection of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Scott has given numerous talks, retreats, workshops, and media interviews on the subject of forgiveness. His fifth book, Around the Table: Retelling the Story of the Eucharist through the Eyes of Jesus First Followers will be published this November. Sheila Hopkins, President, National Council of Catholic Women, has been active for 40 years in various positions on all affiliate levels of council and on the board of the Florida Council of Catholic Women. Sheila retired as Director for Social Concerns/Respect Life for the Florida Catholic Conference/Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2013 where she represented the Conference on issues of human life, dignity, and social justice before the legislative and executive branches of government and private sector organizations and organized statewide advocacy efforts including Catholic Days at the Capitol. For her service to the Church, Sheila received the Benemerenti Papal Medal from Pope Benedict XVI in 2013 and the People of Life award from the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2014. She served on the State of Florida Faith-based and Community-based Advisory Council for nine years as a gubernatorial appointee by three different governors. From 1988-2002, Sheila was Associate Director of Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida and a certified human resource professional, serving the 18 counties of the Florida panhandle. She received her B.A. degree from Florida State University and is a wife, mother to three, mother-in-law to two, and grandmother of three. Christopher S. Ljungquist is the Anti-Trafficking National Outreach and Education Coordinator for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services Department. He holds a BA in Latin America Area Studies from the American University, and a Master’s in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics. Before joining USCCB, Christopher was a Latin America analyst for the Geopolitical Monitor, with a specialization on the Mexican drug cartels. He can be reached at [email protected]. Christa Lopiccolo received her B.A. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame, her M.A. in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and will complete her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore on July 15, 2016. With her education, she has sought to share the beauty and richness of the Catholic faith through her varied work experience — from teaching in a Catholic high school and a Catholic college, to working with at-risk teenage girls at a therapeutic ranch program in Wyoming. Christa served as the coordinator of young adult ministry for the Archdiocese of Washington before accepting her current position as the Executive Director for the Department of Life Issues. For the past 8 years, Christa has sought to, once again, share the beauty of Church teaching on some of the most challenging issues in our culture. Jenny Lor is a Digital Services Manager at the National Domestic Violence Hotline, where she provides leadership to a team of advocates who provide resources and support to the callers, chatters, and texters who contact The Hotline and loveisrespect.org. Prior to that, she was a digital services advocate. Jenny began her career in 2007 as an advocacy program services coordinator at Sexual Assault Support Services in Oregon. Since then, she served as a Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program research assistant at Portland State University, residential assistant and support group facilitator at Bradley Angle and a victim advocate at Maryland Crime Victim’s Resource Center. Jenny was also selected as a Pride Foundation Fellow for two years, where she worked with social justice organizations across four states. Jenny received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology with a minor in women studies from Portland State University. Mary McClusky is the Assistant Director for Project Rachel Ministry Development at the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, her third position over the past 14 years serving the bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities. Mary assists dioceses in developing their postabortion healing ministries and advances the bishops’ vision of an integrated approach to healing, including pastoral counseling, support groups, retreats and referrals to licensed mental health professionals. Mrs. McClusky holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications (Radio/ TV) and a Human Life Studies Minor from Franciscan University of Steubenville and is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Moral Theology at Holy Apostles College & Seminary. She has worked at several pro-life and public interest groups in grassroots development, media, fundraising, and public education and advertising campaigns. She and her husband Tom reside in Virginia. Bethany Meola is an Assistant Director in the Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C. Her focus areas include pastoral care of marriage and family life, domestic violence and pornography (awareness, prevention and healing). She holds a Master of Theological Studies from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family in Washington, D.C. Bethany and her husband Dan reside in Maryland and are active members of the marriage movement, Teams of Our Lady. Frank Moncher received his Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of South Carolina in 1992, following which he spent several years on faculty of the Medical College of Georgia. In 2000 he began to teach at a graduate school of psychology which has a mission of integrating the science of psychology in the context of the Catholic Christian view of the human person. He is licensed as a clinical psychologist in Virginia and Washington, D.C. Over the past 15 years, he has consulted in diocesan marriage tribunals, and with religious orders and dioceses to provide psychological evaluations of candidates for religious life.

Marlesia A. Neloms, M.S.W., is the Director of Children, Youth and Family Services at Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA). Previously, Ms. Neloms served as Director of Operations of the Federal Immediate Disaster Case Management Program and as Special Assistant to the Interim Director and Deputy Director for Agency Programs at the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) in Washington, D.C. She has thirteen years of child welfare experience developing programs and monitoring the progress of federal and agency outcomes. She has worked for initiatives and divisions including the Community Services Administration to build healthy families; Office of Youth Development and Licensing, Monitoring, Placement and Support; Family Services Coordinator for the West of the River Family Strengthening Collaborative; and Reviewer, Head Start Bureau. Ms. Neloms received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Howard University and her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Sharon O’Brien, Ph.D. serves as the Director of Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative in the National Catholic School of Social Service’s Consortium for Catholic Social Teaching at The Catholic University of America. To learn more, please read her bio that can be found at www.cathlicsforfamilypeace.org. Theresa O’Sullivan, Co-Founder, Catholics For Family Peace and current Advisor to the Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative worked at a domestic violence shelter for seven and a half years, where she did case management, outreach and dv education in the broader community, including education in the church communities. She was Associate Director of the Family Life Office in the Orlando, FL Diocese for over twelve years, where she introduced domestic violence awareness into marriage preparation. After retiring, she moved to Frederick, Md., and has volunteered with Heartly House, the local domestic violence shelter. At her parish, St. Katharine Drexel, she did a two-part presentation on the Bishops’ Pastoral, When I Call for Help, as part of an adult education course. Terri initiated several successful parish drives for needed items for Heartly House. She provides support to people in the parish who are dealing with domestic violence. MJ Park is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Little Friends For Peace (LFFP), an award-winning nonprofit that has been providing practical peace education to children and the people who love them since 1981. With Jerry Park, she is the co-author of four books: Peacemaking for Little Friends, Creating a Peace Experience, Family Peacemaking, and the new, comprehensive LFFP toolkit, “Live Peace, Teach Peace.” The Parks operate the after-school program at Perry Social Services Center in inner-city D.C. and offer summer Peace Camps and school-year peace clubs and classes around the D.C. metro area, collaborating with a wide range of school systems and other nonprofits. Lauri Przybysz is President-Elect of the National Association of Family Life Ministers. She received the Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Ministry at the Catholic University of America in 2012, specializing in marriage and family enrichment. She is Education Director and Faculty Associate with Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative in the Consortium for Catholic Social Teaching at CUA’s National Catholic School of Social Service. With her husband, John, Lauri serves on the board of directors of the Christian Family Movement-USA, part of an international confederation of Catholic life movements that promote missionary discipleship. The Przybyszs have spoken on encouraging “the Church in the home” at the Pontifical Council on the Family in Rome, and at family life conferences in the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and India. Her articles on marriage and family spirituality appear on the U.S. Bishops’ For Your Marriage website. Przybysz is mother of six and grandmother of 21. Manuel Ruiz was born in Colombia, where he obtained his license as a professional psychologist and worked as a college professor. As a Fulbright scholar, he earned a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University Chicago. He is currently a doctoral student in counseling psychology at Argosy University in D.C. Manuel started his work in the field of domestic violence in the Chicago area in 2005 providing individual and group therapy for children and survivors of domestic abuse. He later moved to Maryland where he has been focused on services with perpetrators and survivors for almost 10 years. Between 2013 and 2016 Manuel was a co-chair of the Maryland Abuse Intervention Collaborative (MAIC), and is currently a member of the Governor’s Family Violence Council in the State of Maryland. Since 2013 he works as a bilingual therapist for Synergy Family Services, a private practice in Prince George’s County, MD. Bushra Sabri, Ph.D. is a Faculty Research Associate at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and a Faculty Associate with Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative at CUA. She has been involved in several funded research projects on interpersonal violence across the lifespan (i.e., childhood, adolescence and adulthood), and risk factors/health outcomes of violence. Sabri has a demonstrated record of accomplished and productive research projects, collaboration with other researchers, producing peer-reviewed publications, and presenting study findings at national conferences. Current work focuses on intimate partner violence (physical, psychological and sexual) among minority and immigrant women and research on campus sexual assault. Sabri’s research agenda includes risk/protective factors and outcomes of violence (mental, physiological and behavioral); and development of culturally responsive risk assessment and interventions for at-risk women from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Her goal is to contribute to addressing social and health disparities in vulnerable and underserved populations.

Elissa Malter Schwartz is the Executive Director of the Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (JCADA). Elissa joined JCADA in 2007. Elissa has been a dedicated professional and lay leader focusing on advocacy, violence prevention and Jewish communal development in the Washington DC area for the past 20 years. She currently serves on the Board of Directors at Tikvat Israel Congregation. She was a 2011 Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Fellow of the leadership development program for executive directors of agencies serving disadvantaged Maryland residents. Prior to joining JCADA, Elissa was the Association Director of the American Association of Children’s Residential Centers (AACRC) and Director of Continuing Education Programs for Education Essentials. Elissa received her B.A. from American University’s School of Public Affairs. Originally from New York, she lives in Rockville, Md. with her husband Jason and their four children. Mindy Thiel, Ph.D., M.S.W., L.C.S.W-C., is the Director of Chesapeake Counseling Associates, LLC. For the past thirteen years Thiel has overseen the Safe Start Program, a counseling program designed for children exposed to domestic violence through the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Family Justice Center. The program has received approximately 3,300 referrals of children who have been exposed to domestic violence. In 2014 Safe Start received the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention Award. Additionally, Thiel is a part-time professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She served as chair of the Montgomery County Child Care Commission. She has presented at numerous conferences and workshops including the Maryland Judiciary Conference, Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Greater Washington Latin American Mental Health Network, Montgomery County DHHS trainings, and Montgomery County Divorce Roundtable. Thiel recently received the Community Legacy Award from the Montgomery County Family Justice Center for her work as well as her dedication to several community programs. Rob Valente, J.D. is the Chief Officer of Government Affairs for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, with specialized interests in firearms, federal domestic violence laws and interventions, and tribal issues relating to domestic violence. She is one of the lead national coordinators of legislative work to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act in 2013. Rob has served as a consultant on civil legal issues regarding domestic violence for various organizations, including the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the Alaska Native Women’s Coalition, the National Congress of American Indians and the Domestic Violence Resource Network. In recognition of her work, Rob received the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence’s 2011 Sharon L. Corbitt Award. She also received the 2009 NCAI Public Sector Leadership Award for her work to obtain the legislative authority necessary to bring safety and justice to Native communities from the National Congress of American Indians. Arlene Vassell is Senior Director of Programs, Prevention & Social Change at the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV). She was recognized for her distinctive leadership as vice-chair of NRCDV’s board of directors (2011 – 2015). In her current role, she provides leadership to NRCDV’s Capacity Building and Education team and the Communications team. Also, she oversees several key initiatives including the Domestic Violence Awareness Project and PreventIPV. Arlene has over 18 years of multi-faceted experience within the movement to end domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence. She previously worked for the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, and the YWCA Women’s Advocacy Program in Chesterfield, Virginia. Her areas of expertise includes child and youth advocacy, primary prevention, leadership development, community organizing, developing community and state-level collaborations, and creating promising practices when working with traditionally underserved and marginalized populations. In 2016, Arlene was selected as part of the United States Delegation that traveled to China for an exchange of domestic violence information with the All China Women’s Federation. Christauria Welland, Psy.D. is a bilingual clinical psychologist in San Diego, California, specializing in intimate partner violence. She is an part-time professor at Alliant International University, and Faculty Associate with Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research Initiative in the National Catholic School of Social Service at CUA. She has over forty years’ experience working internationally, and was selected as a US Department of State Fulbright Specialist in the area of family violence. Her Spanish program, Sin Golpes, is widely used in offender treatment in the United States and Latin America, where she has trained hundreds of therapists. Welland presented on intimate partner violence at the World Meeting of Families in 2015. With the encouragement of the Pontifical Council for the Family, her book, How Can We Help to End Violence in Catholic Families? A Guide for Clergy, Religious and Laity was distributed in six languages at the 2015 Synod and to bishops worldwide, as well as at the World Meeting of Families. Laura Yeomans is the Parish Partners Program Manager for Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington. Parish partners bring the services of Catholic Charities to parishes. This includes volunteer training, social ministry development, and emergency assistance to families, including those suffering domestic abuse and violence. Yeomans worked as a pastoral associate for Hispanic Ministries for St. Joseph Catholic Church in the Diocese of Columbus, where she coordinated a women’s ministry to those suffering domestic abuse and violence. This project was funded by the Sisters of Charity. Yeomans worked as a family advocate in domestic violence shelters and for a Tri-Diocesan Immigrant Worker Project in Ohio.

Committee on Pro-Life Activities Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development 3211 FOURTH STREET NE • WASHINGTON DC 20017 -1194 • 202-541-3040 • FAX 202-541-3176

“When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women” USCCB Statement (1992; reaffirmed in 2002)

The foundational statement of the U.S. bishops against domestic violence; asserts forcefully that violence is never justified; provides an overview of domestic violence and advice for first responders, people in abusive situations, and those who are abusing others. Available at store.usccb.org:

 Full statement in English and Spanish  Resource cards in English and Spanish

Full text also available on USCCB website: usccb.org—search for “domestic violence”

“Life Matters: Domestic Violence”

2013 Respect Life Program Psychologist Frank J. Moncher, PhD provides a basic overview of domestic violence, including the role of friends and family in helping victims. The Catholic Church's postabortion healing ministry. A diocesan-based network of trained priests, religious, counselors, and laypersons who provide care for those suffering after abortion. In addition to referring for Sacramental Reconciliation, the ministry provides pastoral counseling, support groups, retreats and referrals to mental health professionals. More information at: www.HopeAfterAbortion.org www.EsperanzaPosAborto.org

Available in English and Spanish at usccb.org by searching “Life Matters: Domestic Violence”. (Also available to order as a brochure: 866-582-0943.)

USCCB Statement (2015) Makes the connection between pornography, sexual exploitation, and violence. Full statement and other resources available at usccb.org/cleanheart

“The Catholic Church teaches that violence against another person in any form fails to treat that person as someone worthy of love. Instead, it treats the person as an object to be used. … The Church can help break this cycle.” - USCCB, When I Call for Help

You and your family deserve to be safe and loved in your home. Sometimes bad things happen in good families. Yelling, hitting, shoving, insults, not sharing income — if you are experiencing or using these behaviors at home or living in fear, change is possible. You can be safe and bring peace to your family.

www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/familypeace

24/7 NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE:

1-800-799-SAFE

Hope, Help and Healing for those suffering the effects from domestic abuse and violence At Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, we serve many clients suffering from domestic abuse and/or violence, specifically at our:

• 16 counseling locations throughout the Diocese of Arlington, including 11 parish-based offices

• Family transitional residence which supports many women who have suffered from domestic abuse and/or violence

Today too, amid so much darkness, we need to see the light of hope and to be men and women who bring hope to others. To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope; it is to let a shaft of light break through the heavy clouds; it is to bring the warmth of hope! - Pope Francis, Inaugural Mass for the Pontificate

Founded in 1947, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington serves twenty-one counties and seven independent cities in Virginia. Catholic Charities helps those in need, regardless of their race or creed, by fulfilling both immediate and long-term needs. For more information, please visit www.ccda.net or www.arlingtoncatholiccharities.com or call (703) 841-3830.

A Catholic Mind for Social Service Social workers educated at Catholic University embody the Catholic values of social justice, service, and scholarship. NCSSS offers a fully online clinical M.S.W. program. For more information, go to ncsss.cua.edu

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA The Catholic University of America admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, or disability.

Catholics For Family Peace We provide education, resources, and research to help pastoral leaders recognize domestic abuse and respond with compassion.

Please join us everyday at 3:00 p.m. for a moment of prayer for those harmed by domestic abuse and violence, for those who seek to provide assistance, and for all those who work to promote family peace and prevent domestic abuse.

• Pastoral Education Awareness and Training • Resource Center on Effective Programs • Research Center • Collaboration with Catholic and Interfaith Communities

Catholics For Family Peace is an Initiative in the National Catholic School of Social Service’s Consortium for Catholic Social Teaching at The Catholic University of America.

For more information and downloadable resources, please visit catholicsforfamilypeace.org

Notes for Creating a Local Action Plan

Notes for Creating a Local Action Plan

The Catholic University of America